JP4824526B2 - Variable displacement vane pump and method of manufacturing variable displacement vane pump - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a variable displacement vane pump used for a drive source such as a continuously variable transmission or a power steering device of a vehicle.

  For example, as a conventional variable displacement vane pump applied to a power steering device of a vehicle, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 below is known.

  This variable displacement vane pump includes a pump body formed by abutting a front body and a rear body, and an adapter ring fitted in a housing space formed in a substantially cup shape on the inner peripheral side of one end opening of the front body; A cam ring provided in a substantially elliptical inner space of the adapter ring so as to be swingable in the left-right radial direction, and a drive shaft rotatably disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam ring and penetrating the pump body And a pressure plate that is in sliding contact with the inner surface of the rotor.

  In the rotor, vanes are accommodated in a plurality of slots radially formed along the radial direction so as to be able to protrude and retract, and a plurality of pumps are provided between the rotor and the cam ring by two adjacent vanes. A room is defined. Among these pump chambers, the upper half of the pump chamber located in the suction region for sucking hydraulic oil has a suction port formed in the end face of the rear body, while a discharge region for compressing and discharging the hydraulic oil. A discharge port formed through the pressure plate is opened in the pump chamber on the lower half side located at.

In the variable displacement vane pump, a pressure relief groove communicating with both adjacent pump chambers is formed in a cutout at a boundary position between the suction region and the discharge region on the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring. This prevents sudden pressure fluctuations in the pump chamber when moving from the suction region to the discharge region by allowing the fluid that has become high pressure in the pump chamber on the discharge region side to escape into the pump chamber on the suction region side where the pressure is low. The pulsation of the pump discharge pressure is reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-119648

  By the way, recently, a pump device applied to a vehicle is required to have high output at the same time as lightening and miniaturization are required. Therefore, the pump body and the like that form the housing of the pump device are formed of a lightweight aluminum alloy material, and suppress the enlargement of the device while ensuring a large accommodation space for higher output. Therefore, the wall thickness of the peripheral wall is reduced as much as possible.

  Therefore, in the conventional variable displacement vane pump, the hydraulic oil is compressed in the pump chamber of the discharge region, and the high discharge pressure causes the outer wall of the housing space, that is, the opening end of the front body. There is a problem that the peripheral wall is deformed into a mouth-opening shape in which the diameter is gradually increased toward the opening side by being pressed radially outward.

  As described above, when the lower half of the peripheral wall of the front body located in the discharge area is deformed downward, the adapter ring and the cam ring housed in the housing space are deformed accordingly. As a result, the inclined vane is inclined along the inner peripheral surface of the inclined cam ring.

  On the other hand, since the rotor is connected to the drive shaft and maintains a state perpendicular to the axial direction, the rotor rotates with the corners of the vanes protruding outward in the axial direction of the rotor. turn into. That is, the corners of the vanes protruding from the rotor interfere with the end surfaces of the rear body and the pressure plate that are in sliding contact with the rotor via a minimum clearance.

  This may cause seizure due to uneven wear or friction of the rear body or the pressure plate.

  The present invention was devised in view of the technical problem of the conventional variable displacement vane pump, and provides a variable displacement vane pump that can avoid the influence of the deformation of the peripheral wall of the front body due to the discharge pressure of the pump. It is an object.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a front body having a cylindrical portion that is open at one end side in the axial direction, and a bottom portion that is formed at the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion, and an opening at one end side of the front body. A rear body that is closed along the axial direction of the front body, a drive shaft that is rotatably supported by the front body and the rear body, and an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion of the front body. An adapter ring that is fitted to the surface and has a swing fulcrum surface in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface, and is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring and swings in the radial direction via the swing fulcrum surface A cam ring that is freely provided, a rotor that is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam ring and that is coupled to the drive shaft and has a plurality of radially formed slots radially, and each slot of the rotor Haunted inside A vane that forms a plurality of pump chambers together with the cam ring and the rotor by projecting, a pressure plate sandwiched between a bottom portion of the front body and an end surface of the adapter ring, and an outer peripheral side of the cam ring. The first fluid pressure chamber on the side where the amount of eccentricity of the cam ring increases with respect to the axis of the drive shaft and the amount of eccentricity of the cam ring decrease between the cam ring and the adapter ring. And a second fluid pressure chamber on the side, and a volume of each pump chamber increases on at least one side of a bottom portion of the front body or an end face of the rear body facing the front body. A suction port that opens in a region; and a discharge port that opens in a region where the volume of each pump chamber is reduced. The radial width, and characterized in that formed so as to gradually enlarged toward the one end opening of the front body at least within a range of the swing fulcrum surface.

  According to the present invention, even if the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the front body is deformed to expand radially outward due to the fluid pressure of each pump chamber on the discharge side, the adapter ring is substantially tapered. The deformation is absorbed by the formed oscillating fulcrum surface, and the cam ring is held substantially parallel to the drive shaft. Therefore, the vane protrudes substantially vertically along the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring. The interference between the vane and the inner surfaces of the rear body and the pressure plate can be suppressed. This prevents uneven wear and seizure of the rear body and the pressure plate.

  The invention according to claim 2 has the same precondition as that of the invention according to claim 1, and a cam ring support member is disposed in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring. A variable displacement vane pump in which the cam ring is swingably supported with a support member as a fulcrum, and the radial width of the cam ring support member is formed so as to gradually increase toward the opening on the one end side of the front body. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the cam ring support member that supports the cam ring is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring, and the radial width of the cam ring support member is formed so as to gradually increase toward the one end side opening of the front body. Thus, the deformation of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the front body is absorbed. In the present invention, the same function and effect as those of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved.

  The invention described in claim 3 has the same premise configuration as that of the invention described in claim 1, and the radial width of the adapter ring or the cam ring is determined by the fluid pressure of each pump chamber on the discharge side. When the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the body is deformed to expand radially outward, the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring is set to be substantially parallel to the drive shaft in the circumferential range corresponding to the discharge port. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, the radial width of the adapter ring or the cam ring is set so that the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring is substantially parallel to the drive shaft when the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the front body is deformed. In the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first step of forming an adapter ring having a tapered portion formed so that a radial width in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction gradually increases from one axial side to the other side. The adapter ring on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion of the front body having a cylindrical portion that is open on one axial end side, and a bottom portion that is formed on the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion, In a second step that is assembled so that the side with the smaller radial width is the bottom side, the drive shaft, the rotor that is rotationally driven by the drive shaft, and the slots that are radially formed in the radial direction of the rotor A pump element comprising a vane housed in a retractable manner and a cam ring that defines a plurality of pump chambers together with the vane and the rotor, the volume of each pump chamber being associated with the rotation of the rotor. A third step of assembling on the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion of the front body so that a decreasing discharge region corresponds to the tapered portion of the adapter ring; and one end side of the front body on one end side in the axial direction of the front body And a fourth step of assembling a rear body that closes the opening.

  In the invention of this manufacturing method, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 can be obtained.

  Embodiments of a variable displacement vane pump according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the variable displacement vane pump is applied to a power steering device for a vehicle as in the prior art.

  1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the variable displacement vane pump 1 is formed of an aluminum alloy material and has a cylindrical opening at one end in the axial direction. A front body 2 having a cylindrical portion 2a and a bottom portion 2b formed on the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 2a, a rear body 3 that closes an opening at one end of the front body 2, and the front body 2 And a shaft of the front body 2, which is inserted along the axial direction and is rotatably supported through bearings disposed at the front body 2 and the rear body 3, respectively. A substantially annular adapter ring 5 fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the shaped portion 2a, and a substantially annular adapter disposed on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring 5 and provided so as to be swingable in the left-right direction in FIG. Cam ring 6 and the inner peripheral side of the cam ring 6 A rotor 7 which is arranged and is rotatably connected to the drive shaft 4, and a substantially disc-shaped pressure plate 8 sandwiched between the bottom 2b of the front body 2 and the end face of the adapter ring 5. I have.

  The adapter ring 5 is formed of a sintered material, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a position holding pin that holds the position of the cam ring 6 in an arcuate support groove 5 a formed in the lower part of the inner peripheral surface. 9 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the position holding pin 9 in the vicinity of the right side in FIG. A fulcrum surface 11 is formed.

  The position holding pin 9 functions not as a swing fulcrum of the cam ring 6 but as a rotation stop of the cam ring 6 with respect to the adapter ring 5 while holding the position of the cam ring 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cam ring 6 is formed by cutting a bearing alloy material, and is interposed between the position holding pin 9 and the adapter ring 5 via a seal member 10 located substantially opposite to the position holding pin 9. The first fluid pressure chamber 12a and the second fluid pressure chamber 12b are separated. The cam ring 6 is swingable toward the first fluid pressure chamber 12a or the second fluid pressure chamber 12b with a predetermined position of the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 as a swing center.

  The rotor 7 rotates in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in FIG. 4 when the drive shaft 4 is rotationally driven by an engine (not shown). A plurality of slots 7a along the radial direction are formed at equal intervals. In each slot 7 a, vanes 13, which are substantially rectangular metal plates, are held so as to be able to protrude and retract radially toward the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 6. Further, a substantially circular back pressure chamber 7b is provided continuously and integrally at the inner peripheral end of each slot 7a.

  In the space formed between the cam ring 6 and the rotor 7, a pump chamber 14 is formed by two adjacent vanes 13, and the cam ring 6 is connected to the swing fulcrum of the swing fulcrum surface 11. The volume of the pump chamber 14 is increased / decreased by swinging around the center.

  In the second fluid pressure chamber 12b, a spring 15 having one end supported by a bolt-shaped spring retainer is disposed, and this spring 15 constantly biases the cam ring 6 toward the first fluid pressure chamber 12a. In other words, the pump chamber 14 is biased in the direction that maximizes the volume.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner surface of the rear body 3 on the rotor 7 side in the suction region where the volume of each pump chamber 14 gradually expands as the rotor 7 rotates is arcuate. A suction port 16 is formed. The suction port 16 supplies the working fluid sucked from the reservoir tank T in FIG. 4 into the pump chambers 14 through the suction passage 17.

  On the other hand, on the inner side surface of the pressure plate 8 in the discharge region where the volume of each pump chamber 14 gradually decreases as the rotor 7 rotates, an arc-shaped discharge port 18 and a discharge hole communicating therewith 19 is formed, and the pressure fluid discharged from the pump chamber 14 is introduced into the discharge-side pressure chamber 20 formed in the bottom 2 b of the front body 2 through the discharge port 18 and the discharge hole 19. The pressure fluid introduced into the discharge side pressure chamber 20 is sent from a discharge passage 21 formed inside the front body 2 to a power steering device via a pipe not shown.

  A control valve 22 is provided inside the upper end of the front body 2 so as to face in a direction orthogonal to the drive shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the control valve 22 includes a spool valve 26 slidably received in a valve hole 23 formed in the front body 2, and the spool valve 26 attached to the left in the drawing. A valve spring 25 that is brought into contact with the plug 24 of the valve hole 23, and formed between the plug 24 and the tip of the spool valve 26, upstream of the metering orifice 27 provided in the discharge passage 21. And a high pressure chamber 28 into which the pressure fluid in the discharge port 18 is introduced.

  A second orifice 29 is provided between the metering orifice 27 and the high pressure chamber 28, and the pressure of the pressure fluid introduced into the high pressure chamber 28 is reduced to reduce the pressure fluid. It plays a role in reducing the effects of pulsation.

  On the other hand, the fluid pressure downstream of the metering orifice 27 is supplied to the intermediate pressure chamber 30 in which the valve spring 25 is accommodated, and when the pressure difference between the intermediate pressure chamber 30 and the high pressure chamber 28 exceeds a predetermined value. The spool valve 26 moves to the right in FIG. 4 against the urging force of the valve spring 25.

  The first fluid pressure chamber 12a is connected to the low pressure chamber 32 of the valve hole 23 through the communication passage 31 when the spool valve 26 is located on the left side. The low pressure from the suction passage 17 is introduced through a low pressure passage (not shown) formed by branching from the suction passage 17. Further, when the spool valve 26 slides to the right side due to the differential pressure, the low pressure chamber 32 is gradually cut off, and a high pressure fluid is introduced in communication with the high pressure chamber 28. As a result, the pressure in the low-pressure chamber 32 and the pressure on the upstream side of the metering orifice 27 are selectively supplied.

  On the other hand, the second fluid pressure chamber 12b extends radially outward from a position biased toward the second fluid pressure chamber 12b in the suction port 16 formed on the inner surface of the rear body 3 on the rotor 7 side. The suction passage 17 is connected to the suction passage 17 through the communication groove 16a, and the suction side pressure (low pressure) is always introduced.

  The relief valve 33 provided inside the spool valve 26 opens when the pressure in the intermediate pressure chamber 30 reaches a predetermined level or higher, that is, when the operating pressure of the power steering device reaches a predetermined level or higher. The leverage fluid is allowed to escape.

  The swinging fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is formed in a predetermined area from the second fluid pressure chamber 12b side to the position holding pin 9, and the end of the suction port 16 and the discharge port 18 The first fluid pressure chamber 12a is formed so as to be inclined downward so as to be gradually separated from a reference line X connecting the intermediate point with the start end and the rotation center P of the drive shaft 4.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adapter ring 5 is formed so that the radial width W1 in the range of the swing fulcrum surface 11 gradually increases toward the end face facing the rear body 3. Has been. That is, the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is a tapered surface 34 formed in a downwardly inclined manner along the axial direction toward the end surface facing the pressure plate 8. The inclination angle θ1 of the tapered surface 34 is set to about 0.08 °.

  The tapered surface 34 is not necessarily formed only on the swing fulcrum surface 11. As described above, the radial width W1 in the range of the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is the rear body 3. It should just be formed so that it may expand gradually toward the end surface side which opposes.

  That is, the tapered surface 34 can be formed only on the outer peripheral surface corresponding to the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5, and the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 and the adapter corresponding thereto. It is also possible to form both sides of the outer peripheral surface of the ring 5.

  Note that the taper inclination angle when the inner and outer peripheral surfaces are tapered within the range of the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring is such that the adapter ring 5 is inclined approximately 0.08 ° toward the rear body 3 side. The swing fulcrum surface 11 and the drive shaft 4 may be set so as to be substantially horizontal.

  Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the variable displacement vane pump 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the pressure plate 8 is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2 cast from an aluminum alloy material so as to be in contact with the bottom 2b of the front body 2. Then, the adapter ring 5 is formed by so-called sintering, in which metal powder is pressure-formed and heat-treated at a temperature below the melting point. After the seal member and the position holding pin 9 are assembled to the adapter ring 5, the front ring The adapter ring 5 is attached to the pressure plate 8 so that the side with the smaller radial width W1 of the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is on the bottom 2b side of the front body 2 on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2a of the body 2. It fits in the contact state on the side of

  Subsequently, the cam ring 6 is formed by cutting a substantially cylindrical bearing alloy, and the cam ring 6 is inserted and arranged on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring 5. Then, the rotor 7 in which the vane 13 is accommodated in the slot 7a and the drive shaft 4 are connected to each other. The body 2 is inserted into the cam ring 6 from the cylindrical portion 2a side.

  Finally, one end side opening of the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2 is closed by the rear body 3, and the spring 15 and the spring retainer for urging the flow control valve 22 and the cam ring 6 are assembled, The variable displacement vane pump 1 is completed.

  Subsequently, the operation of the variable displacement vane pump 1 according to the present invention will be described below, but the basic operation of the pump is well known, so that the description thereof will be omitted and only the characteristic operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 will be described.

  When the variable displacement vane pump 1 performs a pump action, the internal pressure is increased by compressing the working fluid in each pump chamber 14 in the discharge region on the discharge port 18 side. A relatively high fluid pressure by the pressure fluid acts on the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 6, the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 7, and the inner surface of each adjacent vane 13.

  At this time, although the fluid pressure acts on the rotor 7 radially inward with respect to the outer peripheral surface, the rotor 7 is connected to the drive shaft 4 and the drive shaft 4 is connected at both ends by the front body 2 and the rear body 3. Since the portion is firmly supported, the rotor 7 is less affected by the fluid pressure. Also, each vane 13 also has a fluid pressure acting outward in the circumferential direction with respect to the inner surface, but the inner pressure of the pump chambers 14 adjacent to both sides acts on the outer surface of each vane 13 to balance each other. Therefore, there is almost no influence of the fluid pressure on the vanes 13.

  On the other hand, since the cam ring 6 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring 5 so as to be swingable, it is pressed against the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 by the fluid pressure. The pressing force against the cam ring 6 (the fluid pressure) presses the adapter ring 5 radially outward together with the cam ring 6 and acts on the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2 in a chained manner.

  As a result, the range corresponding to the swing fulcrum surface 11 in the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2 is slightly deformed radially outward (downward in the figure), and the inner portion of the corresponding cylindrical portion 2a The peripheral surface is inclined slightly downward (about 0.08 °) toward the rear body 3 side. Accordingly, the adapter ring 5 fitted to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 2a slightly falls to the rear body 3 side.

  However, the rocking fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is the tapered surface 34 inclined downward in the axial direction toward the pressure plate 8 as described above. The deformation of 2 a is absorbed (cancelled), and the cam ring 6 is supported substantially perpendicularly to the drive shaft 4 by the swing fulcrum surface 11.

  As a result, each vane 13 protrudes along the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 6, so that it protrudes substantially perpendicular to the drive shaft 4, and the pump has corners of the vanes 13. There is no possibility of protruding from the slot 7a of the rotor 7 in the axial direction.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2 is deformed to expand radially outward due to the fluid pressure of each pump chamber 14 on the discharge side, the taper is reduced. The deformation of the cylindrical portion 2a can be absorbed by the swinging fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 formed in a shape. Thus, interference between the vane 13 and the inner surfaces of the rear body 3 and the pressure plate 8 can be suppressed, and uneven wear and seizure in the rear body 3 and the pressure plate 8 can be prevented.

  The adapter ring 5 is formed with the tapered surface 34 only in a range corresponding to a portion where the front body 2 is deformed by the discharge pressure of the pump, that is, in the range of the swing fulcrum surface 11. The shape is optimized. Moreover, since the adapter ring 5 is formed by sintering, it can be easily formed into an arbitrary shape, and the tapered surface 34 is locally formed as in the range of the swing fulcrum surface 11. Even in this case, an increase in processing man-hours is suppressed.

  Further, since the cam ring 6 requiring pressure resistance and wear resistance is formed by cutting a bearing alloy material, the performance required for the cam ring 6 can be sufficiently satisfied. In addition, since both the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cam ring 6 are formed in parallel, an increase in the number of processing steps is suppressed even if formed by cutting.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the tapered surface 34 in the first embodiment is not limited to the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 but also the inner and outer circumferences of the adapter ring 5. Each of the two sides is formed over the entire circumference.

  In other words, the entire inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring 5 is set to the inclination angle θ2 so that the radial width W1 of the adapter ring 5 gradually increases toward the opening on the one end side of the cylindrical portion 2a of the front body 2. An inner tapered surface 35a is formed, and an outer tapered surface 35b set at an inclination angle θ3 is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the adapter ring 5. The inclination angles θ2 and θ3 of the tapered surfaces 35a and 35b are such that the cylindrical portion 2a located in the discharge region of the front body 2 is deformed radially outward as described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, when the adapter ring 5 is tilted by about 0.08 ° toward the rear body 3, the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring 5, that is, the swinging fulcrum surface 11 and the drive shaft 4 are substantially horizontal. Is set to

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the adapter ring 5 is formed by sintering, the inner tapered surface 35a and the outer tapered surface 35b can be used as a draft of the sintered mold. The adapter ring 5 can be easily formed, and the workability of the adapter ring 5 can be improved.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, it is not limited to providing the said inner side taper surface 35a and the outer side taper surface 35b in both surfaces of the inner and outer periphery of the said adapter ring 5, respectively, Only on the inner peripheral surface of the said adapter ring 5 The inner tapered surface 35 a can be formed, and the outer tapered surface 35 b can be formed only on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter ring 5. At this time, the inclination angle of each of the tapered surfaces 35a and 35b may be set to about 0.08 ° in the same manner as the tapered surface 34 in the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, the basic configuration of which is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the radial width of the swinging fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is the same. W1 is formed so as to gradually decrease from the portion that contacts when the eccentric amount of the cam ring 6 is large toward the portion that contacts when the eccentric amount is small. That is, the inclination angle θ1 of the tapered surface 34 is formed so as to gradually expand along the circumferential direction from the second fluid pressure chamber 12b side to the first fluid pressure chamber 12a side, and the swing fulcrum surface 11 is It is formed into a three-dimensional solid shape.

  With this configuration, the larger the pump specific discharge amount, that is, the larger the eccentric amount of the cam ring 6, the higher the fluid pressure in each pump chamber 14 in the discharge region becomes, and the peripheral wall in the tubular portion 2 a of the front body 2. Therefore, the contact surface on the first fluid pressure chamber 12a side that is in contact with the cam ring 6 when the eccentric amount is large is inclined downward toward the bottom 2b side of the front body 2 in advance. It is possible to absorb the deformation of the cylindrical portion 2a at the time of high pressure.

  On the other hand, when the pump specific discharge amount is small, that is, when the eccentric amount of the cam ring 6 is small, the fluid pressure in each pump chamber 14 is relatively low and deformation of the peripheral wall in the tubular portion 2a hardly occurs. The contact surface on the second fluid pressure chamber 12b side, which is a portion that contacts when the eccentric amount of the cam ring 6 is small, is set so that the inclination angle θ1 is small, so that the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring 6 can be maintained even at a low pressure of the pump. It can be held substantially parallel to the drive shaft 4.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the radial width W1 of the adapter ring 5 is formed in a shape corresponding to a change in the amount of deformation of the front body, the swing position of the cam ring 6, that is, the discharge pressure of the pump. Regardless of the size, uneven wear and seizure of the rear body 3 and the pressure plate 8 can be prevented.

  As a result, in the power steering apparatus, when the steering wheel rolls while the vehicle is stopped or traveling at a low speed, that is, when the pump is high in pressure with a large eccentricity of the cam ring 6, or the vehicle travels straight at a medium or high speed. In other words, it is possible to deal with any of the cases where the pump ring pressure is low, that is, the eccentric amount of the cam ring 6 is small.

  7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that both the inner and outer surfaces of the cam ring 6 are axially arranged. Are formed in a tapered shape.

  That is, the cam ring 6 is formed in a taper shape such that the radial width W2 gradually increases from one end side in the axial direction toward the other end side, and the adapter ring 5 is sintered on both inner and outer peripheral surfaces. An inner taper surface 36a and an outer taper surface 36b having substantially the same inclination angle as the draft of the sintered mold that is inevitably generated at the time of formation are formed, respectively, and each taper surface 36a, 36b and the draft angle of the adapter ring are formed. And so as to correspond to each other and the gradients of the two are alternately arranged.

  At a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the cam ring 6, a supported groove 6 a having a substantially semicircular cross section that fits into substantially the upper half of the position holding pin 9 is cut out along the axial direction. However, the outer tapered surface 36b is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the cam ring 6 including the outer peripheral surface of the supported groove 6a.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the draft angle of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces during the sintering of the adapter ring can be relaxed by the respective tapered surfaces 36a and 36b of the cam ring, and in particular, the discharge pressure of the pump is small. The pump characteristics in the case can be improved.

  9 to 11 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the difference is that the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 is used. The pin member 37 that is a substantially ring-shaped cam ring support member different from the position holding pin 9 is disposed in the support groove 5a, and the cam ring 6 can be swung freely by the pin member 37. It is what I supported.

  The pin member 37 is a so-called taper pin, and has a diameter W3 that gradually increases toward the rear body 3 side. The taper angle θ4 of the axial outer peripheral surface of the pin member 37 is set to about 0.04 °.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the axially outer peripheral surface of the pin member 37 is inclined downward in advance to the bottom 2b side of the front body 2 so as to have a shape corresponding to the deformation of the front body 2 due to the pump discharge pressure described above. Since it is formed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the deformation of the front body 2 can be easily absorbed without adjusting the radial width of the adapter ring 5. it can.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the pin member 37 is not limited to be formed in a tapered shape along the axial direction, but the pin member 37 is formed straight and the support groove 5a of the adapter ring 5 is formed. It is also possible to form the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface in a tapered shape along the axial direction, that is, in a downward inclined shape toward the pressure plate 8 side.

  In this case, since the adapter ring 5 is formed of a sintered material, the tapered support groove 5a can be easily formed by molding, and the pin member 37 is processed into a tapered shape. Since there is no need to do this, the number of processing steps can be reduced.

  12 to 14 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the basic configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and the difference is that the support groove 5a of the adapter ring 5 is cross-sectionally shown. A plate member 38 which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, which is a metal plate, instead of the pin member 37 is disposed in the support groove 5a, and the cam ring 6 can be swung freely by the plate member 38. It is what I supported.

  The plate member 38 is the same as the vane 13 accommodated in the slot 7a of the rotor 7, and the width W4 in the thickness direction is formed so as to gradually increase toward the rear body 3 side. Yes. That is, the upper surface of the plate member 38 is a tapered surface 39 that is inclined downward toward the pressure plate 8 side. The inclination angle θ5 of the tapered surface 39 is set to about 0.08 °.

  The tapered surface 39 is not necessarily formed only on the upper surface of the plate member 38, and the thickness direction width W4 of the plate member 38 gradually increases toward the rear body 3 as described above. It is possible to form it only on the lower surface of the plate member 38, and it is also possible to form it on both upper and lower surfaces of the plate member 38.

  When the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member 38 are formed in a tapered shape, the inclination angle of the taper is the same as the upper surface of the plate member 38 when the adapter ring 5 is inclined approximately 0.08 ° toward the rear body 3 side. The drive shaft 4 may be set so as to be substantially horizontal.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the upper surface of the plate member 38 is inclined downward in advance toward the bottom 2b side of the front body 2, and thus the same operational effects as those of the fifth embodiment can be achieved. Of course, since the cam ring 6 is supported by the harder plate member 38, it is possible to cope with the case where the discharge pressure of the pump is set to a higher pressure.

  In the present embodiment, the plate member 38 is not limited to being tapered along the axial direction (longitudinal direction), and the upper and lower surfaces of the plate member 38 are formed horizontally. It is also possible to form the inner bottom surface of the support groove 5a of the adapter ring 5 formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross section in a taper shape along the axial direction, that is, in a downward inclined shape toward the pressure plate 8 side. . In this case, since it is not necessary to process the plate member 38 into a tapered shape, the number of processing steps can be reduced.

  Further, the upper surface of the plate member 38 is not limited to being formed on the tapered surface 39, and similarly to the swing fulcrum surface 11 of the adapter ring 5 in the third embodiment, It is also possible to form the inclined angle θ5 of the tapered surface 39 into a three-dimensional shape formed so as to gradually expand along the circumferential direction from the second fluid pressure chamber 12b side to the first fluid pressure chamber 12a side. . In this case, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained.

  The technical ideas other than the invention described in the claims, as grasped from the respective embodiments, will be described below.

  (1) The variable displacement vane pump according to claim 1, wherein an inclination of an outer peripheral surface of the cam ring is formed to be substantially parallel to the drive shaft.

  According to this invention, since the outer peripheral surface of the cam ring is formed substantially parallel to the drive shaft, the swing surface of the cam ring can be on the same plane. The rear body and the pressure plate can be prevented from uneven wear and seizure.

  (2) The variable displacement vane pump according to (1), wherein the cam ring is formed by cutting.

  According to this invention, since the cam ring which requires pressure resistance and wear resistance is formed by cutting, the performance required for the cam ring can be sufficiently satisfied.

  (3) The variable capacity vane pump according to claim 1, wherein the adapter ring is formed by sintering.

  According to this invention, since the adapter ring is formed by sintering, the adapter ring can be easily formed into an arbitrary shape.

  (4) While the radial width of the adapter ring is formed so as to gradually expand toward the opening on the one end side of the front body only in the range of the swing fulcrum surface, it is substantially the same in the axial direction in the remaining range. The variable displacement vane pump according to claim 1, wherein the variable displacement vane pump is formed to be

  According to the present invention, in the adapter ring, only the range corresponding to the portion where the front body is deformed by the discharge pressure of the pump has a shape that absorbs the deformation of the front body. Can be planned.

  (5) The variable displacement vane pump according to claim 1, wherein a radial width of a swing fulcrum surface of the adapter ring is changed according to a swing position of the cam ring.

  According to this invention, since the discharge pressure of the pump changes according to the swing position of the cam ring and the deformation amount of the front body also changes according to the change of the discharge pressure, the radial width of the adapter ring Is formed in a shape corresponding to a change in the amount of deformation of the front body, so that it is possible to prevent uneven wear and seizure of the rear body and the pressure plate regardless of the swinging position of the cam ring.

  (6) The radial width of the swinging fulcrum surface of the adapter ring is formed so as to be gradually reduced from a portion that contacts when the eccentric amount of the cam ring is large toward a portion that contacts when the eccentric amount is small. The variable displacement vane pump according to (5).

  According to the present invention, the pump discharge pressure increases as the eccentric amount of the cam ring increases as in the case of steering the steering wheel when the vehicle is running at a low speed in a power steering device. Because the part that comes into contact with when the amount of eccentricity is large is inclined downward to the bottom side of the front body in advance, the adapter ring is inclined to the one end opening side of the front body as the front body is deformed by the discharge pressure of the pump. However, the swinging fulcrum surface of the adapter ring can be made substantially parallel to the drive shaft, that is, the cam ring can be swung on the same plane. Thereby, the vane can be protruded substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor, and uneven wear and seizure of the rear body and the pressure plate are prevented.

  (7) The variable capacity vane pump according to claim 2, wherein the cam ring support member is a substantially rod-shaped pin member.

  According to the present invention, the cam ring can be supported by the pin member, and the cam ring can be easily swung by using the cam ring as a swing fulcrum.

  (8) The pin member is disposed along the axial direction of the adapter ring, and the diameter of the pin member is formed so as to gradually increase toward the one end side opening of the front body ( The variable displacement vane pump according to 7).

  According to the present invention, since the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction of the pin member is inclined downward in advance to the bottom side of the front body and formed into a shape corresponding to the deformation of the front body, it is necessary to adjust the radial width of the adapter ring The deformation of the front body can be easily absorbed.

  (9) The variable displacement vane pump according to (7), characterized in that a radial width of the adapter ring in which the pin member is located is formed so as to gradually expand toward one end side opening of the front body. .

  According to this invention, the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring where the pin member is located is inclined downward in advance to the bottom side of the front body, and formed into a shape corresponding to the deformation of the front body, thereby processing the pin member. There is no need to do this, and a normal pin can be used as it is as the pin member, so that the number of processing steps can be reduced.

  (10) The variable displacement vane pump according to claim 2, wherein the cam ring support member is a substantially rectangular metal plate.

  According to this invention, since the cam ring support member is the metal plate, the cam ring can be supported on the surface of the metal plate, so even when the discharge pressure of the pump is particularly high, The cam ring can be reliably supported. The positional relationship between the cam ring and the rotor can be adjusted by appropriately tilting the metal plate.

  (11) The metal plate is arranged along the axial direction of the adapter ring, and the width in the thickness direction of the metal plate is formed so as to gradually expand toward the one end side opening of the front body. The variable displacement vane pump according to (10).

  According to this invention, since the upper and lower surfaces or both upper and lower surfaces of the metal plate are inclined downward in advance to the bottom side of the front body and formed into a shape corresponding to the deformation of the front body, it is necessary to adjust the radial width of the adapter ring The deformation of the front body can be easily absorbed.

  (12) The variable displacement vane pump according to (10), characterized in that a radial width of the adapter ring on which the metal plate is located is formed so as to gradually expand toward an opening at one end of the front body. .

  According to the present invention, the metal plate is processed by forming the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring on which the metal plate is located in a downward slope in advance toward the bottom side of the front body and forming the shape according to the deformation of the front body. There is no need, and a normal metal plate can be used as the metal plate as it is, so that the number of processing steps can be reduced.

  (13) The variable displacement vane pump according to claim 3, wherein a radial width of the cam ring is formed so as to gradually increase toward an opening at one end of the front body.

  According to the present invention, since one surface of the inner and outer circumferences in the axial direction of the cam ring or both inner and outer circumferences are inclined downward in advance to the bottom side of the front body, the adapter ring is attached to the front body due to the discharge pressure of the pump. Even if the front body is inclined toward the one end opening side, the inner peripheral surface of the cam ring can be substantially parallel to the drive shaft. Thereby, the vane can be protruded substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor, and uneven wear and seizure of the rear body and the pressure plate are prevented.

  (14) The variable capacity vane pump manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the adapter ring in the first step is formed by sintering.

  According to this invention, since the adapter ring is formed by sintering, the adapter ring can be easily formed into an arbitrary shape.

  (15) The method of manufacturing a variable displacement vane pump according to (14), wherein the cam ring is formed by cutting.

  According to this invention, since the cam ring which requires pressure resistance and wear resistance is formed by cutting, the performance required for the cam ring can be sufficiently satisfied.

(16) In a predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the cam ring, a tapered portion is formed such that its radial width gradually increases from one axial direction to the other,
The variable capacity vane pump according to (14), wherein the cam ring is assembled so that the taper portion of the cam ring and the taper portion of the adapter ring correspond to each other, and the gradient of both is staggered. Manufacturing method.

  According to the present invention, the axial inclination of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the adapter ring due to the draft angle of the sintered mold can be relaxed by the tapered portion of the cam ring, so that the pump when the discharge pressure of the pump is small Characteristics can be improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the above embodiments, and the shape and size of the front body 2 and the rear body 3 and the shape of the flow rate control valve 22 are determined according to the specifications and applications of the pump device. Each can be changed freely.

It is a side view of the cam ring which shows 1st Embodiment of the variable displacement vane pump which concerns on this invention, and shows the characteristic of this invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a variable displacement vane pump according to the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional view based on a center line of a drive shaft. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. It is a side view of the cam ring which shows 2nd Embodiment of the variable displacement vane pump which concerns on this invention. It is a partial perspective view which shows only the shape of the rocking | fluctuation fulcrum surface 11 which shows 3rd Embodiment of the variable displacement vane pump which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the cam ring which shows 4th Embodiment of the variable displacement vane pump which concerns on this invention, and shows the characteristic of this invention. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the variable displacement vane pump according to the present invention and based on the center line of the drive shaft. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 9. It is a side view of the pin member which shows the embodiment and shows the characteristics of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a sixth embodiment of a variable displacement vane pump according to the present invention and based on a center line of a drive shaft. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view of the board member which shows the embodiment and shows the characteristic of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Front body 2a ... Cylindrical part 2b ... Bottom part 3 ... Rear body 4 ... Drive shaft 5 ... Adapter ring 6 ... Cam ring 7 ... Rotor 7a ... Slot 8 ... Pressure plate 10 ... Seal member 11 ... Swing fulcrum surface 12a ... 1st Fluid pressure chamber 12b ... Second fluid pressure chamber 13 ... Vane 14 ... Pump chamber 16 ... Suction port 18 ... Discharge port W1 ... Radial width of adapter ring

Claims (4)

A front body having a cylindrical portion that is open at one axial end, and a bottom formed at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion;
A rear body that closes one end side opening of the front body;
A drive shaft that is penetrated along the axial direction in the front body, and each end is rotatably supported by the front body and the rear body;
An adapter ring that is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the front body and has a swing fulcrum surface in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A cam ring disposed on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring and provided so as to be swingable in a radial direction via the swing fulcrum surface;
A rotor disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam ring and connected to the drive shaft, and having a plurality of slots radially formed in a radial direction;
A vane that is retractably accommodated in each slot of the rotor and protrudes to form a plurality of pump chambers together with the cam ring and the rotor;
A pressure plate sandwiched between the bottom of the front body and the end face of the adapter ring;
A first fluid pressure chamber disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cam ring, between the cam ring and the adapter ring, on the side where the amount of eccentricity of the cam ring increases with respect to the axis of the drive shaft; and the cam ring A second fluid pressure chamber on the side where the amount of eccentricity decreases, and a seal member separated from the second fluid pressure chamber,
At least one side of the bottom of the front body or the end face of the rear body facing the front body, a suction port that opens to a region where the volume of each pump chamber increases, and an opening to a region where the volume of each pump chamber decreases A discharge port,
A variable displacement vane pump characterized in that a radial width of the adapter ring is formed so as to gradually expand toward an opening on one end side of the front body at least in the range of the swing fulcrum surface. A front body having a cylindrical portion that is open at one axial end, and a bottom formed at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion;
A rear body that closes one end side opening of the front body;
A drive shaft that is penetrated along the axial direction in the front body, and each end is rotatably supported by the front body and the rear body;
An adapter ring fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the front body;
A cam ring support member disposed in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the adapter ring;
A cam ring disposed on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring, supported by the cam ring support member, and swingable in a radial direction with the cam ring support member as a fulcrum;
A rotor disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam ring and connected to the drive shaft, and having a plurality of slots radially formed in a radial direction;
A vane that is retractably accommodated in each slot of the rotor and protrudes to form a plurality of pump chambers together with the cam ring and the rotor;
A pressure plate sandwiched between the bottom of the front body and the end face of the adapter ring;
A first fluid pressure chamber disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cam ring, between the cam ring and the adapter ring, on the side where the amount of eccentricity of the cam ring increases with respect to the axis of the drive shaft; and the cam ring A second fluid pressure chamber on the side where the amount of eccentricity decreases, and a seal member separated from the second fluid pressure chamber,
At least one side of the bottom of the front body or the end face of the rear body facing the front body, a suction port that opens to a region where the volume of each pump chamber increases, and an opening to a region where the volume of each pump chamber decreases A discharge port,
A variable displacement vane pump characterized in that a radial width of the cam ring support member is formed so as to gradually increase toward an opening on one end side of the front body. A front body having a cylindrical portion that is open at one axial end, and a bottom formed at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion;
A rear body that closes one end side opening of the front body;
A drive shaft that is penetrated along the axial direction in the front body, and each end is rotatably supported by the front body and the rear body;
An adapter ring that is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the front body and has a swing fulcrum surface in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface;
A cam ring disposed on the inner peripheral side of the adapter ring and provided so as to be swingable in a radial direction via the swing fulcrum surface;
A rotor disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cam ring and connected to the drive shaft, and having a plurality of slots radially formed in a radial direction;
A vane that is retractably accommodated in each slot of the rotor and protrudes to form a plurality of pump chambers together with the cam ring and the rotor;
A pressure plate sandwiched between the bottom of the front body and the end face of the adapter ring;
A first fluid pressure chamber disposed on the outer peripheral side of the cam ring, between the cam ring and the adapter ring, on the side where the amount of eccentricity of the cam ring increases with respect to the axis of the drive shaft; and the cam ring A second fluid pressure chamber on the side where the amount of eccentricity decreases, and a seal member separated from the second fluid pressure chamber,
At least one side of the bottom of the front body or the end face of the rear body facing the front body, a suction port that opens to a region where the volume of each pump chamber increases, and an opening to a region where the volume of each pump chamber decreases A discharge port,
The radial width of the adapter ring or the cam ring is set to the discharge port when the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion of the front body is deformed to expand radially outward by the fluid pressure of each pump chamber on the discharge side. A variable displacement vane pump characterized in that an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring is set to be substantially parallel to the drive shaft in a corresponding circumferential range. A first step of forming an adapter ring having a tapered portion formed so that a radial width in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction gradually increases from one axial side to the other;
The adapter ring is provided on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion of the front body having a cylindrical portion that is open on one axial end side, and a bottom portion that is formed on the other axial end side of the cylindrical portion. A second step of assembling such that the side with the smaller width is the bottom side;
A drive shaft; a rotor driven to rotate by the drive shaft; a vane housed in a slot radially formed in a radial direction of the rotor; and a plurality of pump chambers together with the vane and the rotor A pump element comprising a cam ring that defines a cylindrical shape of the front body such that a discharge region in which the volume of each pump chamber decreases as the rotor rotates corresponds to a taper portion of the adapter ring. A third step to be assembled on the inner peripheral side of the section;
And a fourth step of assembling a rear body that closes the opening on the one end side of the front body on one end side in the axial direction of the front body.

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